Apple cuts 8GB iPhone price to $399
By Paul Miller 
posted September 5th 2007 2:05PM
posted September 5th 2007 2:05PM
posted September 5th 2007 2:05PM
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I am in the worst situation possible. I bought my 4GB on August 22, which makes today the 5th--exactly fourteen days. I can't return it because of EPP. What a rip!
iPhucked!!
fuck APPLE!!! i Feel like crying right now. I had saved up two of my paychecks to buy the damn thing at the regular price.Now they dropped their price, i feel like shit right now. FUCK APPLE FUCK APPLE FUCK APPLE...
Rule 1 of buying anything from Apple. NEVER BUY ANY APPLE PRODUCT WITHIN A MONTH OF AN APPLE ANOUNCEMENT. I bought an airport express and an extreme a few days ago, and even I thought that was silly but hey, I'm lucky that they weren't replaced wiht some new kickass products and I new their features were all I needed.
A rare PR blunder by Apple. Even Microsoft wouldn't release Visa for $350 in June and drop it $200 two months later because they can make money on a stripped down version with a music downloader. If you bought a $600 iphone, I would expect and explaination followed by $200 service credit on the next bill.
So I was an idiot and bought a 4GB iPhone from my local ATT store on 8/17. I figured maybe I would return it today and get the 8 gig for a lower price...but nope. 30 day return policy doesn't apply here.
Back of my ATT receipt says "If within 30 days of original purchase (14 days for Apple branded equipment) you are not satisfied with your purchase, ATT will issue an exchange or refund..."
Lucky me, Apple timed this just perfectly.
That's a nice way of putting it.
here's the deal - i just called the ATT where i purchased the 8GB iphone less than a week ago - they don't know of ANY price changes yet - i would guess it could take a little while to get to them - maybe 24 hours or so (my guess).
the exchange/return on apple for a refund is 14 days - NOT 30 (read the fine print)... so, the ATT store told me the only way for me to get this (if they do indeed drop the price within the 14 day return specification) is to return it, pay the restock ($60.00) and re-buy - so really a savings of $140.00 - but i will definitely be doing this, assuming they drop their pricing.
You don't have to lose $60 on this. Just buy another new iphone at $399 and return it with the old receipt ($599). Just make sure it's still within 14 days.
That won't work. I think they scan the serial number or SIM number when they do the purchase, to prevent this kind of thing.
Some of you got your $200 out of prancing around saying "look what I got."
Guess what else sucks...the fact that we are getting "new apps" is great but the wifi itunes thing is really just another way for apple to get their hands in our pockets. I'm fine with that actually, I'm not forced to buy from the store. What pisses me off about it is that they are not introducing any of the features that iPhone owners have been begging for! They are just milking us for money instead of actually IMPROVING the iPhone.
I totally agree with you man! I have been expecting or hoping Apple is going to release something useful but so far no luck. The best phone ever? Where is my voice dialing? Contact list sucks (can't search), no flash, can't install any software which is fine but at least give us something useful! No game! and not to mention poor battery and the slooooowwwww Edge? We might as well say iPhone, the most advanced money milking machine ever.
I bought my iPhone 5 weeks ago. I'm SOL when it comes to getting a refund.
I'm seriously going to be ultra-paranoid when it comes to buying Apple products from now on. I'll keep delaying the purchase 'cause the price might drop.
I was thinking about getting a macbook pro in the near future. Forget that.
I just called an at n t store and they still said it costs 600???
I haven't read through all the comments here, but the reality here is this price drop is happening because the iPhone is not selling.
Many people predicted they'd sell 1 million iPhones in the first week. Then we got the real numbers and it was more like 170,000. Apple now says they're "on track to ship" the 1 millionth iPhone "this month". That could mean by September 30, and again, that's shipped to stores, not sold to consumers. (That distinction is meaningless if a product is constantly sold out, but the iPhone isn't, so the distinction is relevant.)
My guess is they've sold around 700,000 iPhones at this point. That's respectable, but certainly nowhere near the number of phones a company like Nokia sells in a week. It's also about as many phones as some people thought Apple would sell the first *day*. So they're obviously well behind many peoples' expectations, and such a drastic price drop so soon after release suggests pretty strongly to me that they're well behind their own expectations too.
Of course, the price drop will help. But I'm just not convinced the price was really the main barrier of entry for a lot of people. Apple's going to need to suck it up at some point and make a clamshell iPhone with buttons and sell it for $200 or less. I think they're smart enough to do it, at some point. Remember at one point they said they'd never do video on the iPod too.
Jeff you are completely wrong on every one of your points.
"Many people predicted they'd sell 1 million iPhones in the first week."
No on in their right mind predicted that, certainly not apple and neither did most analysts.
"Then we got the real numbers and it was more like 170,000."
It was over 270,000.
"Apple now says they're "on track to ship" the 1 millionth iPhone "this month". That could mean by September 30, and again, that's shipped to stores, not sold to consumers. (That distinction is meaningless if a product is constantly sold out, but the iPhone isn't, so the distinction is relevant.)" What stores, their own or ATT. Think about it for a second... Ok. Now, I am pretty sure they will sell that many... especially now.
"My guess is they've sold around 700,000 iPhones at this point. That's respectable, but certainly nowhere near the number of phones a company like Nokia sells in a week." iPhone has over sold every other phone out there. Maybe not an entire company, but every model. That's like saying Nokia hasn't sold as many computers as Apple.
"It's also about as many phones as some people thought Apple would sell the first *day*."
Again wrong.
"So they're obviously well behind many peoples' expectations, and such a drastic price drop so soon after release suggests pretty strongly to me that they're well behind their own expectations too."
They are not behind peoples' expectations (at least not any person that matters, which excludes you). And I don't know why the drastic price drop. Perhaps you are a little bit right about this.
"Of course, the price drop will help. But I'm just not convinced the price was really the main barrier of entry for a lot of people."
It was. All surveys say that the price was the biggest barrier along with the service provider.
"Apple's going to need to suck it up at some point and make a clamshell iPhone with buttons and sell it for $200 or less."
Yeah, cause Apple does things like that all the time. What could have possibly made you think that Apple would release and iPhone with buttons?"
"I think they're smart enough to do it, at some point. Remember at one point they said they'd never do video on the iPod too."
They are smart enough to NOT do it. And they said that a video iPod made no sense at the time. Whether true or not or part of a competitive strategy makes no difference.
Dude, so some research before you post.
Is that true? I just bought one yesterday (I know...) are they matching the price?
I love my iPhone. Now, before, tomorrow, no matter what. $200? Oh well, that's business! It's an amazing product that all you haters out there won't ever get to appreciate. Suckers.
People!
It was NOT a price drop from $599 to $399. It was a price drop from $2,038.76 to $1,838.76 (assuming the minimal AT&T plan). This makes for an 11% price drop, which is nice after two months, but not really an ass-reaming.
Albert... yeah actually that makes me feel better. Ugh.. still.. It's sooooo soon.
Makes sense if they don't want the touch to undercut the phone due to its own price. So its now just your choice if you want one with a phone built in or one without.
This is not about Apple dropping the price. It's about Apple dropping the price so soon. They are pissing off their customer advocates.
I'm pissed too! But hey, I bought the 8gig Iphone at launch day using my Amex...doesn't it have some sort of price protection or something?
Amex has "return protection" for 90 days up to $300 so it's not enough, and it excludes cellular phones.
You guys are a bunch of whiny losers. They put a sticker price on it & you pay it & you get it. Try to be satisfied with your own decisions. Don't obsess with every little thing that someone else gets that you don't. The "Is this legal?" guy is an idiot in addition.
Seriously, its not that big of a deal. Thats the price we pay to be early adopters, we payed $200 to get our hands on it two months early, and for me the satisfaction i've derived has been worth it.
It's Revolutions up in the bitch!
Time for an iPhone Bonfire!
Mother F@$king Jobs!
I bought two 8g iPhones the first day for my girlfriend and myself. I could have three now for the same price. I call bullshit. Early owners should get a free upgrade to the 16 gig when it comes out.
All you people "boo-hooing" early adopters can suck eggs. "You knew what you were doing" comments are just rude. Do you realize that if we HADN'T snatched these phones up so quickly, Apple wouldn't have sold nearly as many and the iPhone would potentially be less of a success? Like someone else said, I've been stung by the early adoption bug too- but several months after and maybe $50 or $100 difference. Not $200 for two months. That's just bullcrap. I've been a Mac evangelist since I switched in '03. That's no longer the case. Having to pay twice for a song I've already purchased just to convert it to a ringtone is bad business. And I've loved all my Macs, but I just compared specs on MacBooks and generic laptops. Do you realize Apples are literally 2x as expensive? Don't get me wrong, I'll still buy and use Apple products, but it will now be done hesitantly, and I won't be trying to convince people of Apple's "superiority." And just so people don't think I'm a troll, I've owned an iPhone, 12 iPods, a MacBook, an iBook, two Mac Minis, and I'm typing on my iMac.
Apple, this relationship is over.
I just called my Credit Card and initiated a Price Protection claim since I bought the iPhone within the last 60 days. They say they need a paper advertising the new price (not from the internet). Anyone know if the At&T or Apple stores will have these?
Still love my iphone, but what's that purple thing on the screen? I'm seriously doubting this story. Seriously.
Don't forget to check the legal docs on Apple's Site:
http://www.apple.com/legal/sales_policies/retail_us.html
Pricing
Should Apple reduce its price on any Apple-branded product within fourteen (14) calendar days of the date of purchase, you may request a refund of the difference between the price paid and the current selling price. An original purchase receipt is required, and you must request your refund within fourteen (14) calendar days of the price reduction.
Just talked to Apple, they said that because I'm within 14-days of buying a refurb 4 gig, I can return it to my local Apple store and get an 8 gig for no additional costs and NO restock fee. I was pleasantly suprised but we'll see if it happens that smoothly in the store, I'll update tomorrow, I'm going tonight to get it done.
apple store is now offering the 4gb iPhone for 299 while supplies last
Not to mention all of you Apple fanboys are still going to be getting screwed for 2 years with your AT&T contracts. I learned my lesson with Apple a long time ago. Quadras, G4's, iPods, no thanks Steve I've learned my lesson.
Okay, I don't know what to do with myself.
I have an iPhone, and I'm from a very rural area (as in "po-dunkville.") I'm not really upset about the price drop itself. It's to be expected, every phone does this. (I.E RAZR)
What I am upset about is the exclusivity of the phone. Now I'm going to have to deal with all of the Treo boys buying iPhones. Maybe I'm vein but that's what I enjoyed most about my phone. It's a great way to get chicks. Now it's going to be another Cingular 8125.
.. Now I'm going to go sulk in my own self-pity.
I think this is the real issue - if Apple goes that "cheap", and the podunk down the street who can barely brush his teeth owns one, there's no more Apple cachet, there's no exclusivity, no cult of personality.
And without the prestige of being the few that own an Apple product, it's just another product from just another company.
You put it much better!
It's a great way to get chicks? Does it work like Mentos? you just flash your iPhone and BAM!
Trust me, you'd be surprised. I swear to God it's a magnet or something.
I love the people bitchin' about this. I bought a CRT television 10 years ago and it was 600 bucks. Now the same thing is only 100 bucks, I'm gonna go try and get my 500 back.
How dumb does that sound. You had to have it early, supply and demand!
Wow. What a bunch of manginas you whiners are. Apple can lower prices as they see fit. It's not their problem that you don't really have any business buyiong an iPhonme in the first place. Seriously, saving 2 full paychecks for a phone?!?!?! Move out of your parent's basement already...
I would just like to welcome all of the complainers about the price drop to the world of electronics. IT HAPPENS DEAL WITH IT. People who bought recently (14 days) which is reasonable can get a refund and whatnot. The same thing happens with every new computer they sell the previous model at a price even though they know a new one will come out and the old one will drop in price.
Agreed, but give me an example of a first-generation, high-tech consumer product that drops it's price for exactly the same model by 33% within 70 days of introduction?
I still don't want a iPhone
A few phones short of 1 million - what is that in profit for Jobs = $200 million? We just all got PHUCKED w/o dinner or a movie or lubrication by Mr. Jobs!! A reduced price only 2 months after the initial product release? It should have been released at this price in the first place!!! If you could make money at $399, that means you were just gouging consumers in the first place! I WAS thinking of buying a new MAC - NOT ANYMORE!!! If I could piss-a-way the $599 I paid for this phucker, I'd drop it at the front door of Apple's Corp Headquarters if it would do any good.
I just called my Credit Card and initiated a Price Protection claim since I bought the iPhone within the last 60 days. They say they need a paper advertising the new price (not from the internet). Anyone know if the At&T or Apple stores will have these?
What credit card is that ???
Citi Diamond Rewards. I asked and they cover cell phones.